NEW DELHI / PULY, In a detailed 47-page assessment that has sent shockwaves through global military circles, the Switzerland-based Centre d’Histoire et de Prospective Militaires (CHPM) has concluded that India achieved “total escalation dominance” during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The report, authored by retired Swiss Air Force Major General Adrien Fontanellaz, reveals that the Indian Air Force (IAF) established such decisive air superiority that Islamabad was left with no choice but to “beg for a truce” within 88 hours.
The findings, published on January 25, 2026, confirm that India’s combination of deep-strike capability and layered air defense created a “technological cage” that Pakistan could not breach.
The 88 Hour Siege Escalation Dominance
From an editorial perspective, the “Merry Dance” of bilateral skirmishes ended on May 10, 2025. The Swiss report highlights how India maintained a “Symmetry of Force” while keeping its own assets shielded.
- The Turning Point: Between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM on May 10, India launched a devastating salvo of BrahMos, SCALP-EG, and Rampage missiles.
- The Targets: These precision strikes hit seven key Pakistani airbases—including Sargodha, Jacobabad, and Nur Khan up to 200km inside enemy territory, crippling command centers and drone infrastructure.
- The Coercion: By rendering primary runways inoperative and destroying F-16 maintenance hangars on the ground, India effectively “blinded and grounded” the PAF, forcing the ceasefire.
The S-400 Ambush and Drone Failure
The report provides a chilling look at the “Impending Horror” faced by Pakistani drone swarms.
- The S-400 Factor: Despite Pakistani claims of destroying an S-400 battery, the CHPM found zero evidence of any such loss. Instead, the S-400 acted as a “Long Range Shield,” engaging targets nearly 300km inside Pakistani airspace.
- The Drone Disaster: Pakistan launched over 900 drones in multiple waves to saturate Indian defenses. However, India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) linked with the Army’s Akashteer network intercepted over 50% of the threats using simple anti-aircraft guns and electronic spoofing.
Blood and Water The Non Kinetic Squeeze
The Swiss analysis also touches upon India’s “Total War” doctrine during the operation.
- The Indus Factor: For the first time, India held the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, signaling that “blood and water cannot flow together.”
- Economic Isolation: The closure of the Attari Wagah border and a total trade ban exacerbated Pakistan’s fiscal crisis, leaving Islamabad with no financial or military stamina to continue the conflict.
The New Deterrence Paradigm
Operation Sindoor proved that India no longer waits for international mediation to end a conflict. By demonstrating both the reach to hit Nur Khan and the restraint to avoid nuclear red lines, India has established a “New Normal.” In 2026, the message from New Delhi is clear: If you start the dance, India will choose the music and the final note.
